Antiandrogens

A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.

Antiandrogen is any one of a group of drugs that act as androgen receptor blockers.

There are two types of antiandrogens, pure or non-steroidal and steroidal. They block the effects of androgens (male sex hormones; testosterone and dihydrotestosterone).

Antiandrogens are used as an adjunct in prostate cancer, which is an androgen-dependent cancer. It is used to treat precocious puberty in young males, benign prostate hyperplasia, androgenetic alopecia and various other sexual disorders (such as hypersexuality) in men.

Antiandrogens are used in women to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome, masculization and acne.

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